Claim OwnershipBackstage: Classical Career Conversations
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© 2026 Backstage: Classical Career Conversations
Description
Join host Katrina Stroud as she sits down with professional classical musicians to uncover the personal journeys behind public performances. In each episode, you'll hear conversations that reveal the passion, struggles, and turning points that have shaped the lives of classical musicians.
Hear some of the greatest classical artists in the world share their stories of resilience, artistry, and inspiration and give their advice to aspiring professional musicians. Whether you're a seasoned musician, working student, or someone who loves the transformative power of classical music, this podcast invites you to listen deeply -- to the music, and to the stories behind it.
Love the show? Support Backstage CCC with a donation at paypal.me/backstageccc — every bit helps us share more inspirational stories!
18 Episodes
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Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Nathan Cole shares his journey from a young violinist influenced by his musical family to becoming a prominent figure in the orchestral world. He discusses his experiences at the Curtis School of Music, the importance of new music in classical performance, and the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding career. He also provides insights into the audition process, the role of a concertmaster, and the significance of building an online presence ...
Paul Watkins is an esteemed cellist on faculty at the Yale School of Music and a member of the Emerson String Quartet starting in 2013. He discusses the influence of his musical education, the importance of mentorship, and the experiences that shaped his career. Paul also reflects on his dual passion for conducting and teaching, emphasizing the significance of showing up and learning in every musical endeavor. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @back...
Violinist Robert McDuffie talks about obtaining his Guaneri del Gesu violin in a limited partnership, starting the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and creating the Rome Chamber Music Festival. To learn more about the McDuffie Center visit: mcduffie.mercer.edu Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok
Robert McDuffie is a distinguished American violinist. Listen as he talks with host Katrina about his musical mentors including Dorothy DeLay and Yehudi Menhuin and lessons he learned while touring around the world. McDuffie tells the stories of monumental moments in his career such as performing for Samuel Barber and commissioning the Phillip Glass violin concerto, the American Four Seasons. Part 2 to come. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backst...
Violinist Fabiola Kim is a renowned solo violinist and teaches at the University of Michigan and Colburn School. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors, finding her passion for teaching, lessons she's learned performing, and advice she has for aspiring professional musicians. To learn more about the Sounding Point Academy visit: https://www.soundingpointacademy.com/ Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Int...
Sarah Ying Ma is a violinist in the Poiesis Quartet that just won the Banff Competition Grand Prize. Ma shares her musical background, the importance of new music, and how to keep "classical" music relevant in today's society. They discuss the evolving identity of their string quartet, emphasizing a departure from the traditional labels associated with classical music. Ma highlights the importance of embracing a broader artistic identity that encompasses various musical genres and forms of ex...
Double bassist Jeffrey Turner is a renowned principal orchestral musician, conductor, and pedagogue and teaches at the Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. Listen as he walks through each of his career paths, explains his teaching methods, and talks about how we can keep classical music relevant in today's society. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed...
Violinist Nancy Zhou shares her journey as a musician raised in an immigrant family, influenced by traditional music and her father's teachings. She discusses her education at prestigious institutions, the impact of competitions, and the importance of mentorship, particularly with Anne-Sophie Mutter. Nancy reflects on her recent projects that explore cultural heritage through music, her new album, and the significance of mindfulness in performance. She also addresses the role of social media ...
Annie Fullard, first violinist of the Cavani String Quartet and head of chamber music at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Peabody Institute, talks about developing her chamber music pedagogy and chamber music legacy in part two of her interview. To learn more about the Cavani String Quartet visit: cavanistringquartet.com To learn more about The Art of Collaboration book visit: https://www.chambermusiccollaboration.com/ Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stro...
Violinist Annie Fullard is a founding member of the Cavani String Quartet and head of chamber music at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Peabody Institute. Listen as she talks about her musical development and early life in the Cavani String Quartet. Part 2 comes discusses Fullard's chamber music pedagogy, impact and legacy. To learn more about the Cavani String Quartet visit: cavanistringquartet.com Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @bac...
Cellist Estelle Choi is a founding member of the award-winning Calidore String Quartet. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, life in a professional string quartet, the lineage of the older generation of chamber musicians, and advice she gives to aspiring musicians. Learn more about the Calidore String Quartet and listen to their recordings: https://www.calidorestringquartet.com/ Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @bac...
Renowned viola pedagogue Victoria Chiang is on faculty at the Peabody Institute, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and the Aspen Music Festival. Listen as she talks about her time studying with Dorothy Delay and Heidi Castleman, finding her passion for teaching, and the importance of having a growth mindset as a classical musician. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Ron...
Eugene Watanabe founded the Gifted Music School with his wife Dr. Vera and was the first person to graduate Curtis with a double degree in violin and piano. Listen as he talks about his violin and piano careers, starting the Gifted Music School, and his true passion for teaching music to young students. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud ...
Violinist Simon James is a renowned pedagogue at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music, veteran of the Seattle Symphony for 30 years, and recorder of hundreds of soundtracks. Listen as James talks about being a musician contractor, recording in the symphony and in the studio, and his inspirations as a renowned violin teacher. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo per...
Violist of the Emerson String Quartet that won 9 GRAMMYS, Lawrence Dutton talks about his life before the quartet, collaborations and stories from the Emerson Quartet, and gives his advice for aspiring professional musicians. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok
Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra for the past 26 years, violinist David Kim joins host Katrina to share his stories of studying with Dorothy DeLay, challenges he faced in his career, his journey to the Philadelphia Orchestra, the important roles of a concertmaster, and his advice for aspiring professional musicians. For more information on David Kim: davidkimviolin.com Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Intro a...
Artistic Director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and violinist of the Ehnes Quartet, Amy Schwartz Moretti is a violinist who has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and guest concertmaster. Listen as Moretti shares stories of how she met James Ehnes and Robert McDuffie, turning points in her career, and her advice for how to balance a multifaceted career while balancing your personal life. For more information on Amy Schwartz Moretti: amyschwartzmoretti.com For mor...
In this debut episode, host Katrina Stroud introduces the inspiration behind the show — stories and advice from classical music professionals. Katrina shares what led her to create the podcast, her own journey in classical music, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. Each conversation will take you behind the scenes with esteemed professionals musicians as they share the real stories behind their careers. Through honest and heartfelt interviews, you'll hear about the triumphs, set...
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